Otis Planning Board weighs $35,000 estimate to update Master Plan; seeks Select Board buy-in

The Otis Planning Board discussed seeking state grant funding to update the town’s Master Plan and heard an estimated cost of about $35,000 from BRPC.

Mark Anthony, chair of the Planning Board, said the board should prepare talking points for the Select Board before investing time in a full update, noting that the Select Board did not support an update when it was previously proposed.

"We should put together some talking points to talk to Select Board on what we need to do and why we need to do it before we put in all the work," Mark Anthony said.

Hal Kobrin called updating the Master Plan the board’s "number one charge," arguing it is essential for securing state and federal funding. "We will not get funding with an outdated plan," Kobrin said.

A board participant identified as Stacy said demographic changes and rising home prices mean the town’s goals are out of date and suggested the updated plan include priorities such as decarbonization. The board discussed forming a committee that would include a Select Board member, a Planning Board member and public participants to identify municipal assets, needs and next steps.

BRPC (a Berkshire-based planning agency) had estimated the cost to update the plan at about $35,000, the board said. Members discussed whether grants would require a town match and flagged that the Select Board previously withheld support for a plan update.

Board members agreed to prepare talking points for the Select Board, determine whether funding would require matching funds, and continue the Master Plan discussion at future meetings.